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It was politely suggested that I remain in bed till the next morning and rest as well as eat. Zander bringing me some of the dwarven bread that we still had in our packs as it had a higher nutritional content than a regular loaf of bread did. As it was made from one of their special mushrooms ground into flour and another mushroom gave them the yeast to make it rise, it definitely had a very different flavor than standard bread did. Very fruity, I found it odd that most of the dwarven mushrooms had a fruity flavor. Granted there were a few that tasted more like vegetables, more notably cabbages and bean-y flavor.

I guess after a few thousand years you could cultivate some very interesting plants, I recall Gilorndir telling me that's why bananas exist. It was an elvan project to grow more interesting fruits. It seems every civilization has tried their hand at cultivating plants to taste, even the City of the Night has had a hand in it. They had made the first strides in the cultivation of onion, melons, and garlic. As the Egyptians were known to grow all three and the vampires had built their city there. They had learned that those items in that climate were the best to grow and fed the warm bloods very well. So they had their people work towards cultivating different varieties. It seems there are a few of all three that are only sold within the city, that they have cultivated to grow underground with only the light of a bio luminescent fungus.

I imagine the dwarves are attempting to get some seeds from the city, as I hear the melons of that type are the sweetest ever tasted. The vampires will not permit their export due to how hard they are to grow.

During the time I was resting the Elder went out and had from Cheshire's statements, a long talk with Red Eagle. About how young Mauve would be treated when she did come here, it seems Red Eagle had an issue with the idea of female warriors. So I suggested to Cheshire that he tell Ariawyn, that if the elves send any people here for trade they should send only female warriors. Cheshire found that idea very amusing as the elves will not permit him to bad mouth them. They would most likely challenge him to a duel instead. So if he cannot learn from his lecture or the lesson from Cheshire then it will be beat out of him before Mauve gets here.

Wouldn't want Mauve to have to beat it out of him, as she would be unable to; though I imagine Dusk would for her. I agree with Cheshire's thought as I sit up looking about the 'room' I was in. The building itself was made from whole logs that had the bark carefully removed, these made up the main supports for the building and any divided areas. The walls themselves were made from the inner bark of some tree I could not identify. They appeared oddly sturdy, as they were merely made from a wood product. Though I imagine the outer wall was most likely made with a double layer and something sandwiched between. I wondered at the care and ability used to build the long house, that wasn't used on the cinder block wall outside.

Cheshire comments, {I think that the people here have no knowledge of masonry. They know they need a wall more secure than wood but have no idea how to accomplish it. I shall pass that along, I think rather than a wall be built for them someone to teach them how to build it would be best}. I agree with him, then about an hour later I here some disturbance outside and Zander reassuring someone that everything was fine. I chuckle to myself, knowing one of the dwarves had 'magically' appeared again, though I doubt it surprised the Elder. You would be correct Lady, I know of these small people. I am grateful you had someone request a teacher for us. I smile knowing that the Elder is most likely finally getting what he thinks should be done here completed.

Toward the evening Zander comes in looking bothered, "Gwen. Starburst has suggested we return swiftly, and has given an idea as to how that I am not wholly comfortable with." I chuckle with an inkling of what it is, "afraid of flying Zander?" I ask and my friend shudders, "if I were meant to fly the gods would have gifted me with wings not four legs to run with." I smile softly, "what does Alberich think of this method of transport?" Zander stamps a hoof, "he shuddered once then said 'bring it on'." I chuckle again, that certainly sounded like a brave warrior; willing to do what he had to. I think a moment, "I could ask Cheshire to knock you out for the trip back." Zander blink and shakes his head, "and not be able to protect you? No, I'll do it." He mutters at the end and wanders back out.

{I take it Zander is not happy with the plan Gwen?} I hear Starburst's voice in my head, and I respond. {No, he is afraid I believe}. Starburst sighs deeply, {It is truly the best and quickest way back. I am concerned that now that you know where my mother is, she might figure that out and attempt to harm you before we set out to her.} I agree with him, as it was a concern of mine. If Morrigan had not told me I needed to bring Ecthelon, we'd be setting out to her home right now. I was slightly unnerved with the concept of being face to face with Ecthelon, after finding out we are a destined pair.

Granted we have become friends over the time we have spent together, so maybe it'll work out just fine. It did still bother me that it was kept from me, I feel Cheshire in my mind. {That is because we did not know how a Hunter would react to this. As there has never been a pairing of a Hunter to an elf in this manner previously. I mentally nod, I understand that. Though I definitely did not react to my first meeting with him as Harriet did with Gilorndir.} Alberich jumps into the conversation, {which is why we kept it hidden till he could at least get you two conversing. Then he demanded he be the one to inform you so}. Alberich mentally shrugs, and I could understand Ecthelon. As he was one of the older of his people he most likely wanted to make sure things followed a pattern he understood.

Tossing in your Perfect Mate after a couple millennium, must have been a little of an adjustment for him. From what Atsuko said however, that means I am the person he is most likely to be capable of having children with. I think she needs to ask the King if she can test other elves, as if that is the answer to their fertility issue then we should ensure it is accomplished. Granted, it appeared there was going to be a large group of half-lings about. Though it appeared that as a whole elves did not mind them, children as children no matter who begat them.

The next morning Starburst stood in the center of the village, and I was on Zander's back. It was determined that would be best, Alberich was going to be laying on Starburst's back with Cheshire. As Starburst was going to have to hold Zander and Coal. One due to Zander being scared, and the other due to it not being an intelligent animal. Before Starburst picks us up I watch Alberich walk up onto Starburst's back and lay so he was upright and slowly go into a meditative state. Cheshire speaks to me, {that will ensure that Alberich cannot fall off. As when one of his people use that meditation it locks them into what ever they set up in their minds. In this case he is mentally connecting himself to Starburst's back, or to put it another way}. He ponders a moment, {he is telling his mind he is one of Starburst's scales.} I nod my head grasping the idea, if Alberich were one is the scales on Starbursts back. Then it would be impossible for him to fall off the back, as a scale doesn't randomly fall.

It was a good method, and I wondered if it had other applications. Starburst then reaches out and gently picks up Zander, holding the two of us close to his chest. Cheshire then walks up to Coal with Shadow on his back and after staring at the horse a moment, you could see the horse slightly droop as if he wasn't totally awake. Cheshire then leaps onto Starburst's back and the Dragon gently picks up the horse and rider.

The Elder and red Eagle wave to us as Starburst takes flight and Zander closes his eyes. I shake my head amused that the big centaur was afraid of something, but at least he was willing to attempt to face it. I watch the terrain pass beneath me marveling at the swiftness of this method of travel, last time I flew with him it was merely a short hop. This is over a much greater distance, and to be honest I doubt it could be done with a dragon younger than Starburst. Seeing as how they keep on growing their whole lives it would take a long time for one to be large enough to comfortably hold a fighting unicorn, much less carry in their fore legs two other equines.

I shudder to think how big his mother may be, {thankfully}. He spoke to me, {as we get older the growing process does slow. However she is quite large. I resume my watching of the terrain and I notice that it is also much easier to tell what a place is from above versus walking upon the ground}. I could pick out terrain features that dictated different species of beings. From above seeing the gryphon aerie I could then pick out other locations along the water that could house similar peoples. Maybe some of those rocky out cropping had hyppogryphs in them. It would be good for Strongheart to associate with members of her own people once in a while, especially if I could convince some to move to the city. Maybe Atsuko could find a way to help their numbers increase. From this high up I could spy the mer folk cities under the surface of the ocean, and I marveled that no one had ever seen them before. I could hear Cheshire, {odd that you have the ability to see as well as a bird from the sky Gwen}. I could hear him mulling it over in his own mind then.

An hour or so later, I guessed we were traveling at Starburst's top speed; I could see Azure's palace near the city. I would call it the gem of the seas at how beautifully they grew the coral for it, as some elves can convince plants to grow a specific way mer people could 'sculpt' living coral as it grew.

Starburst flies over the city, causing a ruckus and makes a beeline for the Hunter's compound. As it would be one of the two places best for him to land while encumbered. Once he sets Zander on the ground Ecthelon pulls me from the centaur's back and looks me over as if his eyes were an x ray. "Are you well? Why have you returned so swiftly?" I wave him off for a moment and watch as Alberich shakes himself awake and slowly descends from Starburst's back.

Then I turn to Ecthelon, "yes I am fine. I was given a lesson on how to use my ability by someone who is experienced. I used it to find HER. We need to prepare to leave."